Old Faithful
A favorite for tourists in the United States is the Old Faithful geyser so named for its repeated eruptions at expected intervals. It is located in The Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming and was discovered by a team of explorers in 1870. In the early years, reports by trappers and traders of boiling mud, steaming rivers and petrified trees were dismissed as folly.
This magnificent display of nature’s force has ejected its stream of super hot water as high as 185 ft. (56 m) into the air. In the past few years, the interval between eruptions has increased from an average of 66.5 minutes to 90 minutes and can last more than five minutes. Scientists speculate the timing has been changed by small earthquakes that affected water levels.
Since 1983, probes and even video equipment have been lowered into the 265 °F (129 °C) water in an attempt to understand the nature of the eruptions and conclude that a mixture of heated air from below and cool air from above creates fog that is thereby forced upward to relieve the pressure.
It is a sight that has delighted millions of visitors and it is surrounded by many other things to see.
Yellowstone National Park is mostly in Wyoming but also extends into Montana and Idaho. It is 3,468 square miles (8,980 km2) of lakes, canyons, rivers and mountains, and is maintained by the US National Park Service. It contains an abundance of wildlife including bears, buffalo, wolves and deer. It also has 1,106 historic structures.
Believed to be a Caldera (super volcano) it has half the word’s geothermal features. Even so, travelers can enjoy hiking, camping, boating, fishing and sightseeing. In the summer, many areas are reached by vehicle and in the winter by snow coaches or snowmobiles.
Named for the abundance of yellow stones, the park is located at the headwaters of the Yellowstone River and significant finds of early Native Americans have been associated with several known tribes. The artifacts include arrowheads, cutting tools and weapons.
The record high temperature was 99 °F (37 °C) in 2002, while the coldest temperature recorded is −66 °F (−54.4 °C). Park roads are closed to from early November to mid April and there is no public transportation. However, there are several guided motorized tours.
The National Park Service maintains 9 visitor centers, museums, campfire programs, guided walks and presentations. Or go out on your own to one of the 2,000 campsites and hiking trails. In areas of thermal activity, safety comes first and staying on walkways is required.
Hunting is not allowed but fishing is. And what ever you do, do not feed the bears!
By Marti Talbott Marti Talbott’s Highlander Stories
